Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Mid-Century Moto Mecca Makeover

LoRollinLS · Feb 27, 2013

We are all in that delusional fantasy world from time to time. But at least you've kept everything in the middle of the floor where you can finish the walls first. Good thinking on your part. Also, if you have to move the stuff out for one weekend while you epoxy the garage floor and cover everything with tarps, that would probably be ok too, if you can that is. So far everything looks awesome my friend. Keep us updated. Here at garage journal, we like even the smallest of updates!

locul · Feb 27, 2013

I´ve just vvaited for you to update this. In my future life i vvould only go for the LEDs. They are comming to a reasonably pricetag and they just saves bucks in the end.

Secondfloor....elevator...DO IT

sakurama · Feb 28, 2013

CNGsaves said:
Congrats on the new Portland house and garage.

After seeing the unique architecture of the house with lots of glass and angles, I've got POTENTIAL IDEA for your space problem . . . . . .
2nd Floor to the Garage!!

Imagine an angular and modern glassed-in space that would act as display case for your multiple motorcycles!! Install an "elevator" of sorts just outside of existing garage that goes up to the 2nd floor.

Best of luck as you settle in . . . . keep us posted!

I like that. The back is almost even with the grade so you could do it. We had thought about making the top a deck but there's a lot so structural issues so maybe he answer is do that. Not right now but down the road...

Gregor

BarnFab · Feb 28, 2013

cool looks like fun, hey what ar ethe tubes you are using for tig wire fromt ?

Corsario · Feb 28, 2013

Congrats! the house is amazing. I hope you could keep the good work there! Will be tuned.
Take care

Corsario

CNGsaves · Feb 28, 2013

Here's a garage with "2nd Floor" that gives you idea of what yours might look like - - - - this might be different "architectural" style but you get the idea. Yours could even have steel skeleton outside the footprint of the 1st floor.

Source of this pic is another GJer after improvements . . . details are in the pic name.

I can envision a neon signs up in glass windows . . . . Too Cool.

nwrob · Feb 28, 2013

mgoug said:
Welcome to Portland and congrats on finding such a cool place!

You'll be happy to know that this city has an amazing motorcycle culture and yes it is possible to ride nearly year round.

If you're in town, there is a motorcycle builders show on Feb 8-9 & 10 that is not to be missed. Here is a link http://the1moto.com/

Good luck on the garage!

+1 Welcome to Portland!

Slowboat · Feb 28, 2013

Awesome bikes, equipment & house!

sakurama · Apr 28, 2013

I know I haven't updated this thread but sadly the garage is not the priority since we won't be living there. Well, since the rest of the family won't be living there...

As progress on the house has continued I've found myself deciding to do more and more of it by myself. I've redone a lot of the interior and I'm now doing most of the wiring and I've also decided to entirely replumb the house as well. Mission creep indeed. Worse is that when you decide to do it all yourself progress becomes extremely slow to nonexistent if and when you have other work. Since the scope of the project has far outstripped the budget I'm left to either rein in the scope or accept the extended time it will take. I accept the time.

So, what has been done on the garage? Well, not much. The garage is now the project that I go to when I'm waiting on something in the house or find myself stuck and need a diversion. I wish it was more of a priority but that's the way it is. I did however get the electrical all done and got my inspector to come out and approve it. I have 144 120 plugs and 10 220. He said he'd never seen so much power in garage before in his life - nice!

Once I got approval to cover the garage it freed me up to start to do sheet rock. I haven't done it in a few years so the one benefit of the garage and the single thing that allows me to keep working on it is that it's become the "test" ground for the house. Need sheet rock practice? The garage is the perfect place to screw it up before I have to do it in the house and make it count.

So the back wall taught me that running sheet rock horizontally is stupid because the ends aren't tapered and you end up with difficult to cover **** joints. Hey, I've got two more walls to practice on before it's time to do it in the house. That is what's keeping the garage going.

I also decided on the lighting - or at least part of it. I found those drop lights in Lowes and bought about 10 of them. I'll supplement them with something else but I'm not sure what. The garage door and low ceiling combine to rob me of lighting options and cabinet space so now I'm looking for a new type of garage door - right now a bi-fold hanger type door is the leading choice but the commercial options run about $20-30,000! Yeah, that's not going to happen.

The trouble with champagne tastes and a beer budget is that the only option is to homebrew. It's a great option but it just adds to the considerable time I'm stacking onto this project...

So that's where I'm at: working on literally one wall at a time. It's truly a dysfunctional way of working but that's how I have to do it when there's no way to even turn around in the space. I literally have to walk a sheet rock panel outside the garage in order to turn it around. So by completing one wall I can then move the machines up against it and get a little space back. Two walls will give me a little more room and then, just maybe, I'll find enough floor space to start building cabinets which will free up more space. It's like some kind of crazy Chinese puzzle where to move one thing requires you to move two other things and each of those require you to move two more and... well, you get the idea.

Anyway, I'll try to make progress - for you and me.

Gregor

Omphaloskeptic · Apr 28, 2013

154 outlets?! I don't know, you might want to consider adding a few more. lol

In the spirit of the true GJ ******** garage remodeler, you should practice in the house so you can get the garage perfect. lol

Kudos to you for tackling so much yourself even if it takes longer, you'll know it's done the way you want it (and the labor cost is so much cheaper).

fergus · Apr 28, 2013

Was just wondering about this thread. Glad to see you've made a little progress.

A note to fellow readers: If this guy builds a house anything like he builds a motorcycle...hold on to your hats...this will be an awesome build!

sakurama · May 3, 2013

There was a (redundant) door in the front of the garage that opened to just outside the front door. I've tried on a few occasions to open it with no luck - the thing was always stuck. It wasn't really on my radar until I decided I probably didn't need it and wanted to take it out. I really tried pushing on the thing. No go.

Finally I look outside:

Umm, yeah. Who tiles over a door? I mean I know now - whomever did all these boneheaded things I've been finding like hide a shower under the sheet rock in the laundry room. Oh, sigh.

Wall number two was insulated.

Offending door was removed and the opening was framed out and insulated.

And I discovered what this stuff is called: T1-11 with 4" OC. Who knew? Well, that door is all gone now - nothing but a bad memory.

Speaking of which - did you see this scone/lamp? Yeah, that's a flood light in there. I already tore the wiring out but it was powered by an extension cord > wire nuts > another extension cord > power strip > loose wire > extension cord. It was an artful bodge.

Omphaloskeptic · May 3, 2013

I'm thinking that you came along just in time to save this home from any further 'remodeling' from previous owner(s). lol

twinscrewcaddy · May 3, 2013

As a fellow motorcyclist/gearhead with a midcentury house in the Northeast, I am following this thread with interest as well!!!

My new place:
3376sq.ft.
carport and matching detached workshop/single bay garage (plans for a new large matching auto mecca garage/shop soon )

inspired by FLW, architect is John Haughwout built in '58.
neighbors house was Houghwouts personal home and featured in House Beautiful mag in '64.

(not stealing your thread...! i'll start my own very soon!)

sakurama · May 4, 2013

Wow, just stunning! So many nice details there.

I love seeing mid-century places as they always give me ideas. Your landscaping is to be envied. I need ideas on that front but that's for down the line.

Today I finished up the other half of wall two. A contractor friend who's helping me with some stuff like plumbing told me they now have a frost free hose bib that can do hot and cold water. I'm now going to begin my research on that one as we're going to a tankless heater so washing bikes or cars with warm water would be pretty luxurious.

Photos later if I can get to it.

Gregor

ZRX1040 · May 4, 2013

Subscribed. Love these motorcycle related threads...

Gabe. · May 4, 2013

Looking forward to future updates! I'm a big fan of Mid Century architecture and hope to own a MC home of my own someday.

Has any progress been made to the house? I sure wouldn't mind seeing updates of the inside.

sakurama · May 5, 2013

I didn't want to muddy up a garage thread with house photos but since there's some interest I'll try to intersperse some as I go. If you're really curious I started a blog for the house reno that's mostly for family and friends.

So perhaps the smartest thing I've done so far is to hire a day laborer to work with me. Aside from the work that he does it seems to keep me on point and working more and avoids me getting distracted by little things. It's also nice to hand off the crappy work you don't want to do so you can then move on to something more interesting.

Here's a thankless task that needs to get done and I don't want to do: sanding the entire ceiling of the horrible whitewash (80's anyone?) that was slathered over the gorgeous cedar. He's doing a good job though.

It's not like I'm not doing thankless tasks - I'm just not doing the mindless, thanksless tasks. My thankless task was chiseling out 1/2"-1/4" of angled out 2x4 because it would have made the sheetrock not lay flat. In the garage.

I just know myself too well and seeing that one foot of sheetrock angled off by a 1/2" would have bugged me forever. I tried to think of a fast and easy way to do it but in the end a quick chisel job took only an hour or so and now this wall will be flat. And not bug me. The garage is my sanctuary - I can't have distractions from my distraction.

Gregor

sakurama · May 5, 2013

Here are some shots of progress so far. Bedroom:

Living/Dining/Kitchen:

Bathroom:

And some Misc:

This week will be my "big" week. I'm having guys come in to help me with the plumbing and the electrical and we're hoping to have them all done by the end of this week. If we do then I can get my partial inspection and permission to cover in which case I can put my newly honed sheet rock skills to work in the following week and then start to develop my cabinet making skills. Maybe again first in the garage and then in the house.

So that's a quick house update.

Gregor

Stuart in MN · May 5, 2013

You've been busy. Are the bathroom/bedroom walls going back to their original configuration?

Olliecampbell · May 6, 2013

Stuart in MN said:
You've been busy. Are the bathroom/bedroom walls going back to their original configuration?

Ditto.

Are you restoring or making changes of your own?

Boostmeister · May 6, 2013

Love anything mid-century, will be following this one

sakurama · May 6, 2013

Stuart in MN said:
You've been busy. Are the bathroom/bedroom walls going back to their original configuration?

We looked at a lot of options and decided the original floor plan had the best flow. It was amazing how when we changed the framing to the original door placements it was so much more streamlined and the "arcs" you'd run in the halls led right to the doors. So much better flow.

We are making a change though - a big one. We've completely eliminated that big cedar wall that divided the kitchen from the main living room. The 50's weren't a time that recognized that the kitchen was the hub of the home but for us that is even more true as my wife was a talented NYC chef and she loves to cook. We took out that wall and placed an identical sized beam over the kitchen as in the ceiling and it will get the same treatment as the ceiling. That will completely open the kitchen to the main room thus making each larger.

My philosophy is that Mid-century was about smart design and that any technology or "advance" that is in keeping with that is fair game. There are people who want to dress from the 50's, drive a 50's car etc. but I like fleece and air bags and FI and many other new things so our improvements are more in keeping with the spirit than the letter. Better insulation is on the list and so is a tankless water heater.

I found the original blue prints in a closet when we first looked at the house and I hid them away so they wouldn't disappear. They hold some great details like the original rolling wood box design for the fireplace - I'll remake that to the plan.

Gregor

Rockuf8 · May 6, 2013

Interesting project for sure, curious to see how both the inside of this home and garage progress. Looking great so far.

Omphaloskeptic · May 6, 2013

Great progress and pictures; thanks for sharing them with us. Definitely enjoy watching the transformation back to the 'spirit' of the original design. Finding those original blueprints in the closet is a huge bonus, I think; kinda like finding a treasure chest in the attic. lol

Knowing that the architect is alive and kicking makes me wonder if the original builder is still around? Might be worthwhile to see if he recalls building this home. Some of the old-timers could list what and when they built; pride of the craft and all that...

Gabe. · May 6, 2013

Excellent! Thank you for posting pictures of the inside. I'll definitely be watching as things progress.

sakurama · May 13, 2013

Okay, I've finally got a little progress to report.

I primed the two walls that I sheet rocked and while I considered them my warmup efforts they turned out extremely well. Once they were primed I was freed to finally start to move stuff against the wall. I didn't take the machines off the pallets as I'm not set on locations and I can't move them again once they're off but I did get the boxes stacked up against a wall and that really freed up some space.

Then I finally did something just for me - I ordered the window that I'd been wanting to put into the garage. I like light and there was no way I could abide a space with no natural light. My plan is to make a bench the length of the north wall and put all the tool chests under it. It will have three "stations" - one for me and each of my kids. They like being in the garage with me so I wanted them to have their own "spots" as it were.

The window was the largest I could fit 10' x 29" and I set it just over the level of the bench. I used my track saw to make the cut in the siding on the outside.

Ah, just seeing the green outside lowers my blood pressure. I never had a view like that in NYC that's for sure. It's very much like a diorama.

This was the first window I've ever set so it took a while as I figured it out.

And finally I got it in, shimmed and level. It's a really big difference in the space and I'm so happy I did it.

Gregor

jeff51 · May 13, 2013

Lookin' sharp. Keep the house photos coming too, I like the mid-century moderns.

paranoid56 · May 13, 2013

soo nice. keep up the great work. someday i will own a mid cent house. till then i will live in my damn track home lol

-Brent- · May 14, 2013

I love the look of the window, and I don't want to be a downer, but I would reconsider that window framing.

Here are some pictorial examples.

Here's a link with the terminology and a illustrative photo.

Dan in Pasadena · May 14, 2013

-Brent- said:
I love the look of the window, and I don't want to be a downer, but I would reconsider that window framing.

Yup, the window really opens up the room but you installed no header beam. You MIGHT have been able to get away with that on a 3 or 4ft window but definitely not a 10 ft window. When you do - because that WILL sag over time - it has to be supported by jack studs on each end.

The good news? You're not THAT far along that pulling the window, re-cutting the studs for a beam won't be that big a job.

sakurama · May 14, 2013

Here's some more shots of work on the house.

That is all so we can center the shower controls. Well, it needed to be replaced anyway.

This is so we can add a sink at my coffee station and so I can drain the drip tray of the espresso machine instead of emptying it. Feels silly when you look at it like that.

There was a door in this cedar wall that screwed it up. It was easier to take it out and replace it with sheet rock than to try to repair it. The cedar will be reclaimed for use inside the house.

My man Jorgé is doing a great job on the ceiling and the big wall. We're just over halfway.

-Brent- said:
I love the look of the window, and I don't want to be a downer, but I would reconsider that window framing.

I'm sure I screwed up a few things but this wall is not load bearing in any way. The garage is a former carport and is held up by the big 4x12 beams and the ceiling so the walls were just sort of added on - maybe in the later 60's or 70's. I checked with my architect friend and it was his suggestion to do it this way (or at least it was my interpretation of his drawing). I do see some mistakes though and I'll make some changes before I sheet rock it.

Gregor

sakurama · May 14, 2013

Dan in Pasadena said:
Yup, the window really opens up the room but you installed no header beam. You MIGHT have been able to get away with that on a 3 or 4ft window but definitely not a 10 ft window. When you do - because that WILL sag over time - it has to be supported by jack studs on each end.

The good news? You're not THAT far along that pulling the window, re-cutting the studs for a beam won't be that big a job.

Ah, okay, I see what I did. I'll fix that tomorrow...

G

locul · May 14, 2013

You are doing a great job Gregor. Mc, house, garage. I´m sure it will come out astonishing.

Keep it up.

Cheers from Denmark

rrudd2 · May 14, 2013

Subscribed!

My wife and I are buying a mid-century modern home this summer. I'll be referring to your work on the garage and in the house.

housefitter · May 14, 2013

So never mind the PM. I just read page 2 of the thread.

sakurama · May 14, 2013

housefitter said:
So never mind the PM. I just read page 2 of the thread.

Yeah, that's me. Sadly or gladly the KTM build (see sig line) has continued "creeping" and has now morphed into converting the bike to 2WD. I feel a bit overwhelmed with so many projects but I know that in a month or so ill be living in the house and riding the bike and it will be worth all the time. That's what I keep telling myself at least.

Each time I walk into the garage and see my collection of tools all in one space, all right next to the house, I feel like I've finally arrived. Sounds funny maybe to all of you who have garages but after 20 years in NYC and all the attendant hassles this is a dream come true. Combine this with a town that is so great surrounded by amazing motorcycle roads, well, I'm pretty happy.

One thing that's changed in my plan is keeping the natural wood ceiling. The ceiling is just too low to be dark wood. I've spent my life in bright white studios and I need light to work. I'm now shopping for an airless sprayer to paint the ceiling. Ill keep the beams black like the rest of the house but the ceiling is going white.

Gregor

sakurama · May 15, 2013

Window rehung. It's good that my first window hanging experience was also my second and third. Despite my architect saying I didn't need big headers I looked at all the links and read up on window hanging and decided that I should do it the right way. So I did.

As an aside Ben (architect) said that I didn't need to bother even securing the top of the buck to the opening. He said that the window sagging was entirely supported by the buck and the framing below. The whole point of the big headers it to transfer load from above down and around the window so it was all for naught since there's no load on the wall. Oh well, it was a good experience.

If you see something wrong here don't tell me - I can't do it again. My wife is out of town and I'm taking care of my 2 and 3 year olds on my own so between the house and them and the cold I've caught I'm exhausted. Today I hung two sheets of drywall with no insulation behind before I realized what I was doing.

But I kept after it and got it done. One more wall and by the end of the week I should be good to go for primer and then the ceiling. I ordered a Graco airless sprayer today so I'll be able to paint the ceiling.

I also have been considering all the various floor options. Race Deck is too modern and hotrod-y. Epoxy is too much trouble. Floor paint just *****. Concrete is just too impersonal and cold. Ceramic is too Miami. Wood is too crunchy. In the end I think I like VCT as tile has the feel of a lab, an institution or a 50's workplace. I think it's just retro enough and just easy enough that it's the right answer. It will be easy to clean and the kids can race their cars on it and not get too dirty.

In other news the tankless water heater was going in today.

I'll tell you one thing - owning a house really screws with your money perception. It seems every time I turn around I'm buying something that would be the cost of a nice used motorcycle.

And we're really making progress on the ceiling. The one thing I haven't figured out how to deal with yet is that there are very small areas where you can't really get the whitewash off the cedar; either it's embedded in the grain or in a crack. Right now it's not too obvious but I wiped some mineral spirits on to see what a clear would look like and the wood got much darker and the white more obvious. About my only thought is to just mix up some paint that matches the final color and just cover over it. It seems like a tacky solution but from 10' away I don't think you could tell. Got any other ideas?

Okay it's almost 9pm and that's way past my bedtime...

Gregor

Omphaloskeptic · May 16, 2013

If you 'paint removal anality' won't let you sleep at night, try this in a discrete spot. With a good electric heat gun, low-heat setting, constant fanning and the judicious use of things like dental picks, heat the paint in the cracks, crannies, and crevices and 'tease' the paint out bit by bit with the picks. Tuck an old terry cloth towel over your belt or over your shoulder and swipe the paint crusties off your picking/scraping tools as you go. Once you get the feel of the heat gun, you might then boost it up to high and increase your removal speed. The idea is to soften the layer of paint for extraction while not getting the wood so hot that it singes; a delicate dance but one that works!

sakurama · May 16, 2013

Thanks. I'll try that.

I think I might wait on clearing it until I can go around and deal with the small spots. Although given how often the paint is in the small spots between the larger tongue and groove cedar a cover might be a better option.

G

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